Ahead of the Royal Rumble, in an interview, Goldberg talks about his opponent Drew McIntyre, Stone Cold Steve Austin, his future in entertainment, the future of WWE and more
Goldberg. Pictures Courtesy/ WWE
The 2021 Royal Rumble is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view and WWE Network event produced by WWE for its Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. It will take place on January 31, 2021, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. It will be the 34th event under the Royal Rumble chronology and will feature WWE's virtual fan viewing experience called ThunderDome.
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Former Universal champion and Hall of Famer Goldberg will be gearing up to face Drew McIntyre and win the WWE championship for the first time and set a record in WWE history. Ahead of the Royal Rumble, in an interview, Goldberg talks about his opponent Drew McIntyre, Stone Cold Steve Austin, his future in entertainment, the future of WWE and more.
Excerpts:
Have you been watching Drew’s run as WWE Champion over the past year? How do you think he has done?
I have not watched all of it but I have been attentive even though I have been away. You need to check-in and see if your product is being represented by the right people. I am a fan of Drew and appreciate what he has done. My question though is 'Is he ready?' And we are not going to know that until he steps in the ring with me.
Can we expect any surprises in your strategy against Drew this Sunday at Royal Rumble?
I don't think you will get any surprises if you're a logical human being who understands what Drew's strengths are and where I need to put chinks in his armour to destroy him. If you look at breaking down an opponent, logically, no one will be surprised at what I do.
WWE Superstars have come to the squared circle from a variety of different places, professional football, mixed martial arts, Olympics. Does it give them an edge?
1000 per cent. No question that it gives them an edge beyond the mic or be athletically performing your craft. You have an obvious physical advantage depending on where you come from. Else you would not be tagged a 'professional athlete' if not. You cannot get by, faking it. You're always asked to perform a job and if you do not do it, you don't make the cut. Being a professional athlete, you learn how to deal with the media. You have the ability to deal with any situation.
Any sports star you think could have what it takes to make it as a WWE Superstar?
There are many out there. It's only about 'do they want to?' The ones who could do it have never been brought up in the conversation. I think football players are the number one list of talent to make that transition. Kowing what they go through, their work ethic, attention to details - rugby might be the next one in line.
You’ve also had success in film and television. Can we expect more on-screen roles in the future?
I always like to tell people that I am a competitor, not a performer. I do not aspire to be a television or movie star. I enjoy it (being on all such shows). But I like doing things that are right up my alley. Doing a 6-8 month movie roll, I don't see that as my future.
Stone Cold Steve Austin recently spoke about being confused for you in airports back in the day, with shouts of ‘GOLDBERG!’ wherever he went. Did you ever get confused fans shouting ‘STONE COLD’ at you?
Firstly, he should be flattered, because I am better looking than he is. We have talked about it exponentially, but I'd like to say we are pretty good friends. I always took it personally and it made me mad coz Austin is 250 and I am 280 or so. So if fans thought I was Austin, then they thought I was small. For a guy who is a defensive lineman, who walks around trying to be as big as he is. Throughout the years, we would both get p***ed off, but now I think it's hilarious.
Austin vs Goldberg is considered by many to be the dream match that never was. Is that one you look back on and wish could have happened?
OMG! I would not be living and breathing if I didn't make that statement. There was no other match for my sake that needed to happen more than than one. It was just the timing. I love him, he's a great dude. To have graced the ring with him would have been phenomenal.
You have travelled the world. Where are some of the places you loved to visit, and why?
I took a trip to Glasgow and it was one of the most gorgeous, coolest places I have ever set foot on. Saudi Arabia was awesome, completely different from the impression you have of it. I love Japan. Australia was unbelievable. Playing football in Germany and visiting Barcelona and London was awesome. I miss sushi in Japan.
Are there any younger talent you’re looking at and thinking “they are massive stars of the future”?
The usual suspects. I DO believe in a Drew McIntyre, Keith Lee and Ricochet. And I have been a huge fan of Finn Balor. I think these 4 are the future, in my opinion.
Assuming you become WWE Champion this Sunday, who would you like to see win the Royal Rumble and challenge you at WrestleMania?
Interesting question. I will plead the fifth and say it doesn't matter. I got to get through Drew first. He is the only one on my mind and not looking past him as he deserves the respect. I hope that i can conquer him and the opponent that wins the Royal Rumble and gets to compete against the champion will be a wonderful fight, whoever it is. But I gotta kick Drew's a** first.
You can watch ROYAL RUMBLE 2021 on TV on Monday 1ST February 2021 at 5:30 AM IST EXCLUSIVELY on SONY TEN 1 and SONY TEN 3 Channels
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